How to Iron Out the Pleats/Creases in Pants

Do you have undesired, set-in pleats or creases in your pants, collars, or other clothing items? Follow these steps to remove the creases (and put in new ones, if desired).

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Iron
• Ironing Table/Board
• Clothing Item with Undesired Pleats/Creases
• Spray bottle
• White Vinegar
• Water
• Liquid Spray-on Starch
• Hanger or dryer
• White, no-lint cloth

1. Prepare a spray bottle with one part vinegar to two parts one.

2. Select the item of clothing with undesired pleats or creases.

3. Lay out the item of clothing so that the pleat/crease is in the middle of the fabric (facing up). The pleat/crease should not be on the outer edge as this will not take out the pleat/crease.

4. Using the white vinegar/water solution spray solution, mist the area of the pleat/crease moderately.

5. Place white cloth (no lint) on the clothing and slowly press/iron out the pleat/crease.

6. Remove the cloth and inspect the clothing item to ensure the pleat/crease is gone. If the pleat/crease remains, mist lightly and iron again.

7. If no new pleat or crease is desired, hang the clothing item or place it in the dryer (according to the manufacturer's instructions).

8. If a new pleat or crease is desired, reposition the clothing item and adjust the fabric to make the pleat or crease in the desired area.

9. Mist the area to be pleated/creased with liquid starch. Place the non-lint cloth back on the clothing item.

10. Slowly press/iron in the new pleat/crease.

11. Hang the clothing item or place it in the dryer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

12. Enjoy your professional looking clothes.

Tips & Warnings

• The white, no-lint cloth can be a silk or cotton piece of material.
• Do not overspray the material to take out the crease/pleat. This will prevent your clothes from having a strange smell.
• You can dry the clothing item first before putting in the new pleat/crease.
• If the clothing item has a lot of pleats, it may be prudent to take out all the pleats and reposition them all for uniformity.
• Items such as suits, sewn in creases/pleats, etc., prevent challenges for this home project.
• If the clothing item received the pleats/creases at the dry cleaners, it may be best to return the item to the cleaners to allow them to correct their mistake(s).
• Some shirts, such as with police uniforms and fire uniforms, can have the pleats sewn in to ensure a professional look wash after wash.

[waters]

on 2/16/2009 good article and very helpful.